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BearSpray
Shack

BearSpray
Shack

Brown bear
Locations around Glacier
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Glacier National Park

Locations around Yellowstone
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Yellowstone National Park

Locations in Grand Teton
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Grand Teton National Park

Bear Spray Rental Kiosk

How it Works

Bear Spray Shack is similar to your favorite red movie rental box but for bear spray. You can rent AND return our bear spray canisters straight at the rental machine.

We geek out on technology, and the programing behind Bear Spray Shack validates that every canister rented will be un-sprayed, at full volume, and safe for re-distribution.

Walk-up Rentals

Bear Spray Shack has the first and only completely automated bear spray rental vending machines. Just walk-up and follow the on screen instructions. Check our Real Time Inventory Status before heading out.

Scan the Can

Every canister has a QR code on the side that will bring you to our On the Go page. Perfect for those who need instructions on how to use bear spray or anyone wanting a quick refresher.

Any Location Drop Off

Multiple 24/7 Shack locations means returning your can of bear spray has never been easier. Even if you’re out exploring nature from dusk to dawn, you can conveniently return your rental to any location, any time.

When it comes to preserving your safety, peace of mind, and outdoor wildlife playgrounds at large, we believe that arming yourself with bear spray shouldn’t be a complicated or costly process.

West Yellowstone Shack

How To Use
Bear Spray

If you’re not sure where to start with bear spray, we’ve got some tips and a step-by-step guide for how to use it that will make your life a lot easier—and maybe even save it!

Check out our Instagram for cool pics, giveaways, and captions that our moms brag about to their friends.

  • 🌭 You’ve been dreaming of roasted weenies and s’mores all summer…but right before your trip, you realize there are important rules to learn about campfires! Don’t panic, Betty’s here to drop some fire knowledge:

- If there is a burn ban, don’t light a fire - check fire restrictions in the area you will be recreating BEFORE arriving. You might not have cell service once you get there!
- When allowed and available, use established fire rings. If a log doesn’t fit inside the fire ring, don’t burn it.
- Never abandon your campfire or leave it unattended. A campfire is like a toddler - leave them unattended for one minute and you can have a disaster on your hands. And you can become financially responsible for fire damage as well, which might cost more than 18 years of parenting.
- Put out campfires fully - drown and stir campfires until you can safely touch the contents with your hand. Teton Interagency Fire recommends breaking up charred logs and covering them with dirt. It’s fun, it’s mud pies, it’s campfire soup. Bear Spray Shack is not liable for any of you that drink this soup.
If the positive environmental impact of reducing wildfire risk is not enough for you, here’s another reason to watch your sparks. We are in the business of saving you money, and violating fire restrictions and burn bans is PRICEY! You can be fined $5,000-$10,000 and/or go to prison for 6 months. Not a very fun end to a National Park vacation.

Sources: MTFireInfo, Teton Interagency Fire, NPS
  • Most of the United States is not home to grizzlies. But that wasn’t always the case. Prior to Europeans arriving in North America, an estimated 50,000 grizzlies roamed the continent from Alaska to central Mexico. However, by 1975, fewer than 1000 remained in the lower 48. Why? Settlers saw grizzlies as a threat to human and livestock safety, and the government even funded their eradication. That year, grizzlies were listed as ‘threatened’ under the Endangered Species Act. Since then, they’ve been de-listed and re-listed several times. 

The US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are currently about 1,923 grizzlies in the lower 48. 727 of these live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (which includes Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks) and an estimated 300 live in Glacier National Park. 

This range expansion is a good thing! It also means that you might encounter a bear in places you wouldn’t have just 10-20 years ago. Always plan ahead: Know if you will be traveling in bear country, and if so, carry bear spray.
  • 1. Wildlife Watching: Many species of wildlife are ‘crepuscular’ meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. For the best chance at viewing them, you will need to act somewhat crepuscular as well. Summer sunrises in Yellowstone are at 6am - rise and shine, it’s bear-spotting time! Evenings right before dark are a great time to view wildlife as well. Remember to drive slowly at both dawn and dusk, as wildlife is more active and there are shadows at the roadside.

2. Hiking: In the mountains, it’s best to FINISH your hike by noon, both to avoid afternoon thunderstorms (which can be dangerous above treeline) and avoid the heat. Starting early also helps beat the biggest crowds - let’s be honest, a lot of us do not want to wake up early to go hike 3,000ft. Want princess parking at the trailhead? Get there at 6:30.

3. Travel: Avoid visiting on on around major holidays, if possible
- Make reservations ahead of time (like, WAY ahead of time). Hotels etc often book up, especially those within the park boundaries. Campgrounds also fill up fast, and many are changing from first come first serve to reservations through reservation.gov. Have a backup plan if your first (or second) choices are full.
- Backpacking permits: these often come available months in advance, and you can reserve your itinerary online. Otherwise, there are often ‘walk-up’ permits available.
- Know if there is roadwork: parks have construction too! Plan to avoid these areas or be mentally prepared for wait times.
- Traffic can be intense both going INTO the park and OUT of the park - people are all trying to get to dinner at the same time!
  • Our bear spray rental machines are open 24/7, and we made it easy by adding on-screen step-by step instructions. However, if you’re like us and are always PREPARED (pre-beared?), here’s a sneak peek of the rental experience!

1. Find the nearest rental location to your lodging or the park you are visiting. Hint: it might be inside the park!
2. Click ‘Rent.’
3. Decide how many canisters you’ll need, and your return date.
4. Click “Rent Now”
5. Scan your ID (for age verification purposes - bear spray is no joke!)
6. Read the waiver, input your contact information, and accept the two checkboxes.
7. Submit payment. We accept Visa, Amex, Discover, Mastercard, Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Head’s up - as of May 1, Grand Teton National Park entrance stations also accept digital payments only.
8. Wait for your bear spray to emerge through the magical dispensing doors
Enjoy your trip and carry bear spray when traveling in bear country.
9. As you’re getting sad about your trip ending, it’s time to return the bear spray to any Bear Spray Shack rental machine.
10. Safe travels home!
  • Betty lives in the woods and saw some shenanigans from park visitors last weekend. So let’s do a refresher on fire rules and safety!

- August and September are the peak months for large scale fires. 
- 22% of fires in Yellowstone are caused by people
- Grand Teton National Park will average 10 unplanned fires (six natural starts and four human-caused fires per year). The Teton area is expected to have above-normal fire activity this August.
- According to Glacier National Park, most of the fires within park boundaries are natural, but in the state of Montana, 75% of fires are human-caused.
Driving:
- Don’t park on dry grass - this is a potential ignition source if it comes in contact with a hot tailpipe/vehicle. 
- Starting June 22nd, in Grand Teton National Park (and the Bridger-Teton National Forest and National Elk Refuge) you are not allowed to smoke ”except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.” But don’t throw cigarettes out the car window!
  • “I can’t believe I have to buy bear spray and can’t even bring it home on the plane,” said no Bear Spray Shack customer ever. With 24-7 rental machines at key locations in bear country, we’ve got your bear spray needs covered in Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks. Check out our live rental inventory at the link in bio, and get dancing.
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